Farm Animals

Farmed Laying Hen Bone Strength and Exercise

Exercise is the primary determinant of bone strength in laying hens, and systems that allow free movement significantly reduce the risk of fractures.

Key Facts

Cage-free and free-range hens have stronger bones than cage-housed hens
Perch use from an early age builds bone density through impact loading
Bone strength is also influenced by dietary calcium and phosphorus
Exercise during the pullet rearing period has lasting effects on adult bone health
Breed selection influences baseline bone density irrespective of housing

Welfare Considerations

Bone fractures in laying hens cause chronic pain throughout the laying period. Systems that allow exercise and perch use from the rearing phase produce hens with significantly better bone health. Transitioning to cage-free systems with appropriate rearing conditions addresses this welfare problem at scale.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from cage-free or free-range systems
Support producers who rear pullets in perch-access environments
Advocate for bone health monitoring as a welfare metric in egg production